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Come November
A historical thriller with a love story at its heart November 1947: Jeanne and John, two newspaper journalists, fall in young love as they travel from Chicago to New York to witness the momentous vote of the United Nations to partition Palestine and create the State of Israel. When they discover an assassination plot meant to swing the outcome, they must put their personal lives on hold and race the clock to stop it, uncovering elaborate details of international politics along the way. Fifty years later, having gone their separate ways, the two reconnect in Italy. Set against a stunning pastoral backdrop, Jeanne and John relive those turbulent days together and explore whether their love has stood the test of time. International thriller meets operatic Italian romance in this intricate tale of love, politics, and misunderstandings. Come November is a celebration of history, family bonds, redemption, and second-chance love sure to please fans of thrillers and romance alike.
424 pages, Hardcover
Published July 18, 2023
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5284 people want to read
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October 7, 2023
A fascinating book that was inspired by the notes that the authors mother took on her trip to the UN back in 1947;
Scott Lord has used those notes to give us a novel that switches back and forth between 2003 and 1947 and the dramatic vote for the Partition of Israel, and which is made ever more relevant since today Hamas launched a huge attack against Israel and the entire area once again teeters on the brink of all out war.
We follow two main characters Jeanne who was a high school senior in 1947 who won a trip to the UN along with about 75 other HS student journalists over the Thanksgiving Holiday that year, and which happened to be the time when the UN was making its historic vote. But the book actually begins in 2003 and all the basic characters of the book are introduced to us with their own chapters and details needed to follow both time lines. A very strong beginning to this book! Jeanne has a son who is a failed real estate developer, a daughter-in-law who is a minor opera singer looking for a break and actually moves out of the family home at age 35 to follow her dream in New York, and takes the couples daughter Alice along with her. John is now a retired newspaper journalist who Jeanne first met and fell in love with during that 1947 journey (he was 21 at the time and a WW2 Vet), and who is now retired and living in Italy where he bought and is refurbishing a Villa that he hopes will be a destination location for Americans and Brits. But he also has been approached about writing a book about what really happened back in 1947 and needs Jeanne to be a co-writer. Complicating matters are two failed relationships between Jeanne and John, which have left Jeanne pretty well scarred as to John. Nonetheless she accepts his request to come to Italy, and brings along her son Michael, and her daughter-in-law and granddaughter also will be there because Kelly (the daughter-in-law) has secured a lead role in an Opera being performed at the Spoleto Festival in Todi, Italy. Whew!! Lots to cover here as we find out what behind the scenes info Jack withheld from his dispatches in 1947. Conspiracies, assassins, etc. what a going on, and we are moving a breakneck speed as we go along with John, Jeanne, the UN vote and a whole lot more. A well-written book with believable plots and characters, and one that takes me back to the time I spent in Italy and living at a spectacular Villa in Umbria. I final rating of 4.5****
Scott Lord has used those notes to give us a novel that switches back and forth between 2003 and 1947 and the dramatic vote for the Partition of Israel, and which is made ever more relevant since today Hamas launched a huge attack against Israel and the entire area once again teeters on the brink of all out war.
We follow two main characters Jeanne who was a high school senior in 1947 who won a trip to the UN along with about 75 other HS student journalists over the Thanksgiving Holiday that year, and which happened to be the time when the UN was making its historic vote. But the book actually begins in 2003 and all the basic characters of the book are introduced to us with their own chapters and details needed to follow both time lines. A very strong beginning to this book! Jeanne has a son who is a failed real estate developer, a daughter-in-law who is a minor opera singer looking for a break and actually moves out of the family home at age 35 to follow her dream in New York, and takes the couples daughter Alice along with her. John is now a retired newspaper journalist who Jeanne first met and fell in love with during that 1947 journey (he was 21 at the time and a WW2 Vet), and who is now retired and living in Italy where he bought and is refurbishing a Villa that he hopes will be a destination location for Americans and Brits. But he also has been approached about writing a book about what really happened back in 1947 and needs Jeanne to be a co-writer. Complicating matters are two failed relationships between Jeanne and John, which have left Jeanne pretty well scarred as to John. Nonetheless she accepts his request to come to Italy, and brings along her son Michael, and her daughter-in-law and granddaughter also will be there because Kelly (the daughter-in-law) has secured a lead role in an Opera being performed at the Spoleto Festival in Todi, Italy. Whew!! Lots to cover here as we find out what behind the scenes info Jack withheld from his dispatches in 1947. Conspiracies, assassins, etc. what a going on, and we are moving a breakneck speed as we go along with John, Jeanne, the UN vote and a whole lot more. A well-written book with believable plots and characters, and one that takes me back to the time I spent in Italy and living at a spectacular Villa in Umbria. I final rating of 4.5****
May 23, 2023
First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Scott Lord, and Greenleaf Audiobooks for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.
Always one to enjoy great historical fiction, I turned to this novel by Scott Lord, which explores the creation of Israel at the United Nations, and a few young reporters who were there to watch it unfold. Lord uses a great deal of history and some memories from his mother to cobble together this piece, which keeps the reader connected to the events that caused a great deal of drama, with a peppering of a love story that spans decades. While I won’t deny I would have loved a more intense political lens, Lord does well to portray the situation and has me wanting to explore more about these times in 1947.
Jeanne has lived a good life and is shocked when she receives an email from an old friend, and lover, asking that she visit him in Italy. The trip is not meant solely to rekindle old flames, but to help pen a book about their shared experiences in 1947. At that time, Jeanne and John were young reporters, making their way from Chicago to New York for a monumental event at the newly functioning United Nations. Their journey there saw them fall in love, though there was so much more on the table.
At the heart of the United Nations agenda was a debate over partitioning the State of Palestine to offer the Jews their own homeland after the horrors of the Second World War. While some would see it as only fitting that the ancient lands of Israel be recreated, there are many who would rather die than see it come to fruition. Politics, religion, and regional squabbles come to the forefront here.
As Jeanne and John try to cover the events, they come across an assassination plot intended to skew the vote and ensure Israel never comes to be. The political actors all hold diplomatic immunity and hold harsh sentiments about the vote, making the investigation all the more problematic. However these two, brought together by a common passion to report the news and finding a deeper thread between them, must also work to understand the nuances of international politics on the grand stage.
Even as the vote goes ahead and Israel is created, the drams between the two reporters does not end. Spanning decades thereafter, the story explores their shared time in New York in November 1947 and the struggles to define what was and might have been. Ending in a quaint Italian town, the truth comes out and all is revealed in this story that is rich with romance, as well as some of the most intense politicking in the post-War world. Scott Lord does well with this piece, mixing politics, romance, and a connection through the ages to depict a well-crafted novel that many can enjoy.
I will admit, it was the politics that pulled me in when reviewing the dust jacket blurb on this book. I love a good thriller where there is a little struggle towards a larger political end. Scott Lord does well to depict this, using a strong narrative that spans decades, intermixing the storylines effectively to get his point across. There is a significant amount of development, both with the story and the characters, keeping the reader attentive so as not to miss anything. The characters are varied and well-placed throughout the book, providing something entertaining as their backstories come to life effectively. While based on historical events, the plots develop and keep the reader from knowing precisely what is to come or how it will settle, which offers up a great element of surprise. The depiction of time at the United Nations has me intrigued and wanting to know more, something I will have to look into when time permits. Lord does well to balance the romance, politics, and historical advancement, though I am always happy to see a political heavy thriller when time permits.
Kudos, Mr. Lord, for a great piece that has me eager to learn more!
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
Always one to enjoy great historical fiction, I turned to this novel by Scott Lord, which explores the creation of Israel at the United Nations, and a few young reporters who were there to watch it unfold. Lord uses a great deal of history and some memories from his mother to cobble together this piece, which keeps the reader connected to the events that caused a great deal of drama, with a peppering of a love story that spans decades. While I won’t deny I would have loved a more intense political lens, Lord does well to portray the situation and has me wanting to explore more about these times in 1947.
Jeanne has lived a good life and is shocked when she receives an email from an old friend, and lover, asking that she visit him in Italy. The trip is not meant solely to rekindle old flames, but to help pen a book about their shared experiences in 1947. At that time, Jeanne and John were young reporters, making their way from Chicago to New York for a monumental event at the newly functioning United Nations. Their journey there saw them fall in love, though there was so much more on the table.
At the heart of the United Nations agenda was a debate over partitioning the State of Palestine to offer the Jews their own homeland after the horrors of the Second World War. While some would see it as only fitting that the ancient lands of Israel be recreated, there are many who would rather die than see it come to fruition. Politics, religion, and regional squabbles come to the forefront here.
As Jeanne and John try to cover the events, they come across an assassination plot intended to skew the vote and ensure Israel never comes to be. The political actors all hold diplomatic immunity and hold harsh sentiments about the vote, making the investigation all the more problematic. However these two, brought together by a common passion to report the news and finding a deeper thread between them, must also work to understand the nuances of international politics on the grand stage.
Even as the vote goes ahead and Israel is created, the drams between the two reporters does not end. Spanning decades thereafter, the story explores their shared time in New York in November 1947 and the struggles to define what was and might have been. Ending in a quaint Italian town, the truth comes out and all is revealed in this story that is rich with romance, as well as some of the most intense politicking in the post-War world. Scott Lord does well with this piece, mixing politics, romance, and a connection through the ages to depict a well-crafted novel that many can enjoy.
I will admit, it was the politics that pulled me in when reviewing the dust jacket blurb on this book. I love a good thriller where there is a little struggle towards a larger political end. Scott Lord does well to depict this, using a strong narrative that spans decades, intermixing the storylines effectively to get his point across. There is a significant amount of development, both with the story and the characters, keeping the reader attentive so as not to miss anything. The characters are varied and well-placed throughout the book, providing something entertaining as their backstories come to life effectively. While based on historical events, the plots develop and keep the reader from knowing precisely what is to come or how it will settle, which offers up a great element of surprise. The depiction of time at the United Nations has me intrigued and wanting to know more, something I will have to look into when time permits. Lord does well to balance the romance, politics, and historical advancement, though I am always happy to see a political heavy thriller when time permits.
Kudos, Mr. Lord, for a great piece that has me eager to learn more!
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
Read
January 12, 2024I read this because it involved the UN meetings in 1947 during which Palestine was made independent (from England) and partitioned (Israel was created) - - and, therefore, was a good follow up to a novel I recently read set in Palestine just before that time period. However, this proved to be a romance between a high school girl and reporter (1947) and the current story of her not-very-together family as well as her reuniting with the reporter (both of them now in their 70’s). For me, the romance wasn’t that special, the family wasn’t that special, and the 1947 UN scenes were more focused on pursuing a potential sniper. I’m not rating it because I’m sure many readers would enjoy it – it just wasn’t for me.
September 6, 2024
This wide-ranging tale covers many miles and is set in many places. . .Jeanne Cooper hails from Chicago, and John aka Jack McGrath also of Chicago, settles in Los Angeles for a time, to finally land in Italy. For me this was a love story with a big dose of politics, journalism and the international collaboration that resulted in the state of Israel.
It was enough to put in to a couple of books, but the part that had me was the persistence of the love between the two main characters - which was a surprise to me, as romance is rarely my first focus. In my choice of this read, my interest was in the Palestinian / Israel historical treatment, but soon lost my way through those parts, coming to firmer ground (the universality of love) at the end.
*A sincere thank you to Scott Lord, Greenleaf Book Group, and NetGalley for an ARC to read and review independently.*
It was enough to put in to a couple of books, but the part that had me was the persistence of the love between the two main characters - which was a surprise to me, as romance is rarely my first focus. In my choice of this read, my interest was in the Palestinian / Israel historical treatment, but soon lost my way through those parts, coming to firmer ground (the universality of love) at the end.
*A sincere thank you to Scott Lord, Greenleaf Book Group, and NetGalley for an ARC to read and review independently.*
May 20, 2023
Bookshelves: 2023, AudioBook, Historical Fiction, Strong Female Lead, Women Centered, Chicago, New York, California, Italy, NetGalley.
This was an interesting and enjoyable thriller set just after WWII in Chicago/New York. There are 2 prominent characters, Jeanne and John, who meet as newspaper journalists (and fall in love), as well as featuring various family, work, and political characters.
There are 2 different timelines: current day and the 1940's when they first meet. The diplomatic plot woven into the story was a good reminder that it wasn't that long ago that Israel and Palestine were at war over land (frequently) and it’s as timely as ever with the current fighting in the world.
Jeanne is an incredibly strong, bright and well-rounded woman and I was happy to follow her life and journeys. However, I questioned her life long crush/love of John.
I rated this 4 stars because I felt the narration was off in a few spots and felt that the ending was a bit contrived and quickly tidied up. It was often painful to be a voyeur in their relationship and I really wish it would have played out differently, but I won't give that away.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author, Scott Lord, for the advanced ARC audiobook. Expected publication July 18, 2023
Publisher's Blurb: "November 1947: Jeanne and John, two newspaper journalists, fall in young love as they travel from Chicago to New York to witness the momentous vote of the United Nations to partition Palestine and create the State of Israel. When they discover an assassination plot meant to swing the outcome..." Fifty years later, having gone their separate ways, the two reconnect in Italy.
This was an interesting and enjoyable thriller set just after WWII in Chicago/New York. There are 2 prominent characters, Jeanne and John, who meet as newspaper journalists (and fall in love), as well as featuring various family, work, and political characters.
There are 2 different timelines: current day and the 1940's when they first meet. The diplomatic plot woven into the story was a good reminder that it wasn't that long ago that Israel and Palestine were at war over land (frequently) and it’s as timely as ever with the current fighting in the world.
Jeanne is an incredibly strong, bright and well-rounded woman and I was happy to follow her life and journeys. However, I questioned her life long crush/love of John.
I rated this 4 stars because I felt the narration was off in a few spots and felt that the ending was a bit contrived and quickly tidied up. It was often painful to be a voyeur in their relationship and I really wish it would have played out differently, but I won't give that away.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author, Scott Lord, for the advanced ARC audiobook. Expected publication July 18, 2023
Publisher's Blurb: "November 1947: Jeanne and John, two newspaper journalists, fall in young love as they travel from Chicago to New York to witness the momentous vote of the United Nations to partition Palestine and create the State of Israel. When they discover an assassination plot meant to swing the outcome..." Fifty years later, having gone their separate ways, the two reconnect in Italy.
April 17, 2023
Bravo! Bravo! What a wonderful story. What a fantastic piece of storytelling! I totally enjoyed this book.
The plot was crafted in a very beautiful style going back and forth from the 1940s to the 21st century. Usually those books that split time are frustrating to me. However, this was done so well that it’s smoothly flowed from one segment to the other. I tip my hat to the author.
Characters were amazing and I love how the author wove them through the time periods.
I loved this book and I enjoyed it immensely and I wish the author the best, and I hope this is a massive success.
I highly recommend this book.
I received an advance review, copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The plot was crafted in a very beautiful style going back and forth from the 1940s to the 21st century. Usually those books that split time are frustrating to me. However, this was done so well that it’s smoothly flowed from one segment to the other. I tip my hat to the author.
Characters were amazing and I love how the author wove them through the time periods.
I loved this book and I enjoyed it immensely and I wish the author the best, and I hope this is a massive success.
I highly recommend this book.
I received an advance review, copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 9, 2023
This is such a heartwarming and poignant book. It has dual timelines and alternating POV. The book is divided into seven parts that follows dual timelines; 1947 and 2003. It’s a historical thriller romance that follows the odyssey of two journalists who separated their paths fifty years ago reconnects in Italy fifty years later. It has such a lyrical narrative.
Jeanne is one of my favourite character in the whole book. Her husband died and she has been diagnosed with a life altering health issues. She has received a mail from John McGrath, her old boyfriend and the man she has waited to hear from since so many years. Would she fly six thousand miles to Italy to meet an old boyfriend?
While Michael Hanson and Kerry separated. And Alice was left with no choice but choose one among them. Alice life changes unexpectedly and her teenage years gets worse. Kerry didn’t want to take the teaching job at USC as she wanted to pursue her dream of becoming an opera singer. So they abruptly moved to New york.
Michael gets tangled in a financial problem that arise in real estate business due to political activities. It is such a powerful and poignant book about family bonds, political uplift, redemption and second-chance love.
Places
- Santa Monica
- New York
- Rome, Italy
Read if you like:
•Dual Timeline
•Alternating POV
•Second World War
•Political Intrigue
•Family Bonds
•Redemption
•Second-Chance Love
•Historical Thriller Romance
April 3, 2023
WOW, what a great book… Fantastic storytelling. Lots of characters and going back and forth in time was great. Such an emotional read. Days later and the story is still with me and I find I am missing reading more about them. LOVED it!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 12, 2023
This should have been more historical fiction or romance/women’s fiction. It definitely wasn’t thriller and I wouldn’t even classify it as mystery either. It just followed historical events that you knew were going to happen, without much suspense.
I didn’t dislike it but honestly I got kind of bored. I didn’t feel like Jean and John had any extraordinary chemistry that prompted them to have a sort of soulmate connection that spanned decades. It could partially be lost in translation the way the audiobook was narrated tho. The narrator didn’t have much, if any, change in her voice for different characters outside of a handful of accent changes for foreigners. It was the same voice, inflection, octave for men, women, etc, which gave it sort of a flat and sometimes confusing feel.
While it ended well, the dynamic of the adults in the 2003 timeline felt like everyone was just not communicating, assuming the worst, and giving up really easily. It made the way everything wrapped up feel a bit contrite and simple given the up-to-this-point fully self-focused perspective they all had.
Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy of this audiobook. All opinions are mine.
I didn’t dislike it but honestly I got kind of bored. I didn’t feel like Jean and John had any extraordinary chemistry that prompted them to have a sort of soulmate connection that spanned decades. It could partially be lost in translation the way the audiobook was narrated tho. The narrator didn’t have much, if any, change in her voice for different characters outside of a handful of accent changes for foreigners. It was the same voice, inflection, octave for men, women, etc, which gave it sort of a flat and sometimes confusing feel.
While it ended well, the dynamic of the adults in the 2003 timeline felt like everyone was just not communicating, assuming the worst, and giving up really easily. It made the way everything wrapped up feel a bit contrite and simple given the up-to-this-point fully self-focused perspective they all had.
Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy of this audiobook. All opinions are mine.
July 23, 2023
This book has so many qualities that are super popular right now that I’m really surprised I’m not seeing this one around more.
Dual Timelines, Multiple POV’s, Historical WW2 Drama, Second Chance Romance, Character Growth and Mystery.
My first time reading this author and I was really happy with the overall read though it was a bit long. I definitely recommend!
Dual Timelines, Multiple POV’s, Historical WW2 Drama, Second Chance Romance, Character Growth and Mystery.
My first time reading this author and I was really happy with the overall read though it was a bit long. I definitely recommend!
June 14, 2023
Okay okay, hear me out, I have some concerns with this one.
Audio wise: The dialogue of this book was SO very hard to follow. The narrator tried to change her voice when speaking as another character but it didn’t work. I was so confused more often then not on who was talking, especially when there were many paragraphs of dialogue without attributions.
Story wise: the idea of this book is super interesting but wasn’t executed well. There were many times when the chapters would switch years and then only a paragraph or two was actually in modern day and it would drop into the past with very little warning. I also felt the modern timeline, 2003, could have been dropped entirely. It was just the catalyst to tell the past story which could have been done all on it’s own. This also would have significantly reduced the length of this too long book. I also struggled with characters in the past plot line completely disappearing and never being followed up with. I did truly enjoy the past plot line. It was interesting and about a time and an event I didn’t know about.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️✨
Audio wise: The dialogue of this book was SO very hard to follow. The narrator tried to change her voice when speaking as another character but it didn’t work. I was so confused more often then not on who was talking, especially when there were many paragraphs of dialogue without attributions.
Story wise: the idea of this book is super interesting but wasn’t executed well. There were many times when the chapters would switch years and then only a paragraph or two was actually in modern day and it would drop into the past with very little warning. I also felt the modern timeline, 2003, could have been dropped entirely. It was just the catalyst to tell the past story which could have been done all on it’s own. This also would have significantly reduced the length of this too long book. I also struggled with characters in the past plot line completely disappearing and never being followed up with. I did truly enjoy the past plot line. It was interesting and about a time and an event I didn’t know about.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️✨
July 7, 2023
This book promised to be a historical thriller but it totally fell flat. There was some interesting history, sure, but the way it was told in the past was so anticlimactic, there was no urgency, no worry, nothing remotely thrilling about it. The present day story was disjointed and honestly, unnecessary. The sons bankruptcy and marital issues were a side plot that didn't add anything to the story. The main character's thrice attempted love story was pretty bland, and the ending was extremely predictable. The book would have been better if it was just the 1947 timeline, in real-time action.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 5, 2023
The title caught my attention, the book's premise intrigued me, and "Come November" by Scott Lord, did not disappoint! This historical fiction was very well written and kept my attention throughout. The author was able to weave a story through two completely different time periods, creating a cohesive and compelling story. I highlighted many phrases in the book were such beautiful descriptions that they resembled poetry. I truly loved this book! I would have given the novel 5 stars except for the amount of foul language used by specific characters. It took away from the beauty of the book and the historical time period that it reflected. I recommend this book to those who enjoy an historical novel which takes you to an important event in history and helps you to understand it better through fictional eyes. I will definitely be on the look-out for more novels by this author.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 9, 2023
I was fortunate enough to receive this book as an ARC and this is a completely unbiased review. First off, This book has it all and is written beautifully. The history, the romance, the life journey of the two main characters (Jeanne and John) is thrilling and had me attached to this book! They way their journey between the past and the present is intertwined in this book provides a storyline that fills the holes as you read! First book ever read by the author and I didn’t regret it one bit! Must read for any history buff or anyone into a thrilling romance
September 9, 2023
Thank you NetGalley and Greenleaf Audiobooks, Greenleaf Book Group Press for accepting my request to audibly read and review Come November.
Narrated by Nancy Linari
Disappointing. The synopsis left hope for intrigue with some Italian romance, and I wanted and expected some history given the international and United Nations marketing.
At best this was a really long held grudge with a confrontation. From my perspective this could have been condensed to a short story and me wanting more as opposed to over 14 hours and me wondering why.
Linari's performance eased my pain, and helped me finish.
Of note: I'm not certain that finishing a book because it is from NetGalley is the right course of action. I finished Come November and lost time. There was nothing for the author, publisher, or myself to gain from finishing that I see.
2.5 stars not rounding up (language)
Narrated by Nancy Linari
Disappointing. The synopsis left hope for intrigue with some Italian romance, and I wanted and expected some history given the international and United Nations marketing.
At best this was a really long held grudge with a confrontation. From my perspective this could have been condensed to a short story and me wanting more as opposed to over 14 hours and me wondering why.
Linari's performance eased my pain, and helped me finish.
Of note: I'm not certain that finishing a book because it is from NetGalley is the right course of action. I finished Come November and lost time. There was nothing for the author, publisher, or myself to gain from finishing that I see.
2.5 stars not rounding up (language)
July 16, 2023
I was provided a free ARC of this book by Book Sirens. I chose to read it because of my interest in the historical significance of the events in this story. I appreciate the opportunity to review it.
The story of this book is told along two timelines, specifically 1947 and 2003. The primary characters, Jeanne and John, meet in New York City in 1947. Jeanne is a high school teenager who comes with a group of journalism students to New York City to witness a United Nations "partition vote" concerning the Middle East. If approved, this vote would create the nation of Israel and separate it from the Palestinian state. The Arab nations in the surrounding area have vowed violence if this vote is approved. John is a journalist from the Chicago Tribune, in New York to observe the same. Their attraction is instant. Receiving information regarding the possible threatened violence, John and Jeanne work together with a local police officer and the Jewish Defense League to uncover any possible violence before or during the vote.
The book starts in 2003, when John (now called Jack) contacts Jeanne via email. He invites her to Italy where he is building a Bed & Breakfast. During the first part of the book, we are also introduced to Jeanne's family, her son Michael and his wife Kerry and their daughter, Alice. Since it just happens that Kerry is a professional opera singer performing in Italy, the whole family goes to Italy. From this point forward, the 2003 part of the book becomes bogged down in family issues, with chapters from the point of view of each of these characters. Furthermore, Jeanne has a brief affair with a man she meets on the airline flight to Italy. As a 73 year-old widow, it is unrealistic that Jeanne would do such a juvenile thing.
I loved the 1947 story line. The characters were vibrant and realistic. The setting was historically accurate and the action surrounding the UN partition vote was exciting. The 2003 storyline is more like a romance/family soap opera. I found the inclusion of Michael's separation from his wife, Kerry's infatuation with her opera co-star, and Jeanne's affair with Ernest to be irrelevant to the primary plot and distracting to the reader. I found myself looking forward to see how many pages there were before we went back to 1947.
I was most impressed with the author's fully-developed characters. Specifically, I found this male author's development of women characters realistic and believable. It has been my experience that male authors write women as either masculine or poor waifs who can't survive without a man. Surprisingly, this author did none of things. Jeanne was both feminine and independent. I wanted to rate this book 5 stars. I really did. However, I could not overlook the numerous subplots and unnecessary characters. For this reason only, I gave this book 4 well-earned stars.
The story of this book is told along two timelines, specifically 1947 and 2003. The primary characters, Jeanne and John, meet in New York City in 1947. Jeanne is a high school teenager who comes with a group of journalism students to New York City to witness a United Nations "partition vote" concerning the Middle East. If approved, this vote would create the nation of Israel and separate it from the Palestinian state. The Arab nations in the surrounding area have vowed violence if this vote is approved. John is a journalist from the Chicago Tribune, in New York to observe the same. Their attraction is instant. Receiving information regarding the possible threatened violence, John and Jeanne work together with a local police officer and the Jewish Defense League to uncover any possible violence before or during the vote.
The book starts in 2003, when John (now called Jack) contacts Jeanne via email. He invites her to Italy where he is building a Bed & Breakfast. During the first part of the book, we are also introduced to Jeanne's family, her son Michael and his wife Kerry and their daughter, Alice. Since it just happens that Kerry is a professional opera singer performing in Italy, the whole family goes to Italy. From this point forward, the 2003 part of the book becomes bogged down in family issues, with chapters from the point of view of each of these characters. Furthermore, Jeanne has a brief affair with a man she meets on the airline flight to Italy. As a 73 year-old widow, it is unrealistic that Jeanne would do such a juvenile thing.
I loved the 1947 story line. The characters were vibrant and realistic. The setting was historically accurate and the action surrounding the UN partition vote was exciting. The 2003 storyline is more like a romance/family soap opera. I found the inclusion of Michael's separation from his wife, Kerry's infatuation with her opera co-star, and Jeanne's affair with Ernest to be irrelevant to the primary plot and distracting to the reader. I found myself looking forward to see how many pages there were before we went back to 1947.
I was most impressed with the author's fully-developed characters. Specifically, I found this male author's development of women characters realistic and believable. It has been my experience that male authors write women as either masculine or poor waifs who can't survive without a man. Surprisingly, this author did none of things. Jeanne was both feminine and independent. I wanted to rate this book 5 stars. I really did. However, I could not overlook the numerous subplots and unnecessary characters. For this reason only, I gave this book 4 well-earned stars.
July 21, 2023
I always enjoy good suspense thrillers and historical fiction. When these are blended together, and with a love story thrown in, what more could I have hoped for? "Come November" is one such novel that delivers all these and more.
It’s a fascinating story of two young reporters who were given the rare opportunity to witness history in the making in 1947: the UN vote to create the State of Israel. They got more than that as they got themselves unwittingly sucked into a deadly plot of assassination that would have swung the outcome of the vote had it succeeded. Jeanne and John, the novel’s main characters, managed to foil the plot in the nick of time.
The novel is written with two timelines. The first took place in 1947 when Jeanne and John first met as they set out to cover the events at the United Nations. They fell in love but their romance was short-lived. After the events concluded their lives took on different paths: John took on a new job that required him to stay in Europe and Jeanne, a graduating high school student, entered college.
The second timeline takes place in the 21st century, 2003 to be exact. At 72, Jeanne has grown a bit weary of life itself. She still misses her husband who died a year ago and now she has what is potentially a life-threatening health issue. But life must go on as she continues with her teaching and writing activities. In the midst of these, she is shocked to receive an email from John, her ex-lover, asking that she visits him in Italy. The visit is to discuss a memoir he’s going to write about their shared experiences in New York in 1947.
Reading John’s email raises questions in her mind. Is John trying to rekindle the love they once had? Isn’t she too old for second-chance love? What if John has other motives? She can’t decide if she wants to meet John again after what happened in the past between her and John in 1947. After some persuasion from her daughter she relents and embarks on a journey that finally provides the answers to all the questions that had been nagging her for over 50 years.
Scott Lord’s splendidly crafted story, inspired by real events and his mother’s work as a reporter, is heart-warming. He makes a good case for the idea that second-chance love is possible if both parties are determined to give it a try. There are some cliff-hanger events and misunderstandings that threaten their attempts to patch things up. That’s what kept me reading on in order to discover what would happen next. This is a love story like no others that I’ve read thus far. I really love it.
I received the ARC for free from Booksirens and I'm leaving this review voluntarily.
It’s a fascinating story of two young reporters who were given the rare opportunity to witness history in the making in 1947: the UN vote to create the State of Israel. They got more than that as they got themselves unwittingly sucked into a deadly plot of assassination that would have swung the outcome of the vote had it succeeded. Jeanne and John, the novel’s main characters, managed to foil the plot in the nick of time.
The novel is written with two timelines. The first took place in 1947 when Jeanne and John first met as they set out to cover the events at the United Nations. They fell in love but their romance was short-lived. After the events concluded their lives took on different paths: John took on a new job that required him to stay in Europe and Jeanne, a graduating high school student, entered college.
The second timeline takes place in the 21st century, 2003 to be exact. At 72, Jeanne has grown a bit weary of life itself. She still misses her husband who died a year ago and now she has what is potentially a life-threatening health issue. But life must go on as she continues with her teaching and writing activities. In the midst of these, she is shocked to receive an email from John, her ex-lover, asking that she visits him in Italy. The visit is to discuss a memoir he’s going to write about their shared experiences in New York in 1947.
Reading John’s email raises questions in her mind. Is John trying to rekindle the love they once had? Isn’t she too old for second-chance love? What if John has other motives? She can’t decide if she wants to meet John again after what happened in the past between her and John in 1947. After some persuasion from her daughter she relents and embarks on a journey that finally provides the answers to all the questions that had been nagging her for over 50 years.
Scott Lord’s splendidly crafted story, inspired by real events and his mother’s work as a reporter, is heart-warming. He makes a good case for the idea that second-chance love is possible if both parties are determined to give it a try. There are some cliff-hanger events and misunderstandings that threaten their attempts to patch things up. That’s what kept me reading on in order to discover what would happen next. This is a love story like no others that I’ve read thus far. I really love it.
I received the ARC for free from Booksirens and I'm leaving this review voluntarily.
July 26, 2023
Come November by Scott Lord is a combination of historical fiction and romance. With a dual timeline of 1947 and 2003, we meet Jeanne, a 17 year old high school senior, and John, a 21 year old journalist, at the start of the book. The 2003 timeline picks up their lives again in their 70s, as well as flashbacks of what happened in between.
It’s late November 1947 and Jeanne is part of a group of school newspaper editors from Chicago who have been selected to visit the UN in New York at the time a vote is planned to decide the partition of Palestine. John, a WWII veteran and an up and coming reporter, is representing the sponsoring newspaper on the trip. The plan to partition Palestine was a hotly contested world issue. Against a backdrop of escalating violence, our protagonists uncover a plot to undermine the voting, and fall in love at the same time. As we know from history, the vote succeeded in establishing the state of Israel, but their love story fell apart. This was by far the better of the two storylines and gets my recommendation to historical fiction readers. Although the years immediately preceding the establishment of Israel are well represented in fiction, this is the first work I have read so focused on the actual UN voting.
In the 2003 timeline, both Jeanne and John are still emotionally connected to their past, despite having had successful lives. A lot of space is focused on Jeanne’s dysfunctional family which quite frankly made some of the early part of the book tedious. The romance outcome turned out to be more interesting than I anticipated.
Overall I really enjoyed the book and feel that Mr. Lord demonstrated his writing talent very well. I would definitely read him again. One thing that was missing was an author’s note to explain what was true and what was fabricated for purposes of the story in the 1947 timeline. Since historical fiction readers tend to take the ‘history’ element quite seriously not only as points of interest, but as a means of education, such a note would have been helpful. In its absence, I tend to evaluate the narrative for plausibility. Mr. Lord succeeded exceptionally well, as the events could easily have happened given the political climate and the limited security procedures in place at that time.
Thank you to the author, the publisher Greenleaf Book Group Press and BookSirens for the opportunity to read and review an ARC.
It’s late November 1947 and Jeanne is part of a group of school newspaper editors from Chicago who have been selected to visit the UN in New York at the time a vote is planned to decide the partition of Palestine. John, a WWII veteran and an up and coming reporter, is representing the sponsoring newspaper on the trip. The plan to partition Palestine was a hotly contested world issue. Against a backdrop of escalating violence, our protagonists uncover a plot to undermine the voting, and fall in love at the same time. As we know from history, the vote succeeded in establishing the state of Israel, but their love story fell apart. This was by far the better of the two storylines and gets my recommendation to historical fiction readers. Although the years immediately preceding the establishment of Israel are well represented in fiction, this is the first work I have read so focused on the actual UN voting.
In the 2003 timeline, both Jeanne and John are still emotionally connected to their past, despite having had successful lives. A lot of space is focused on Jeanne’s dysfunctional family which quite frankly made some of the early part of the book tedious. The romance outcome turned out to be more interesting than I anticipated.
Overall I really enjoyed the book and feel that Mr. Lord demonstrated his writing talent very well. I would definitely read him again. One thing that was missing was an author’s note to explain what was true and what was fabricated for purposes of the story in the 1947 timeline. Since historical fiction readers tend to take the ‘history’ element quite seriously not only as points of interest, but as a means of education, such a note would have been helpful. In its absence, I tend to evaluate the narrative for plausibility. Mr. Lord succeeded exceptionally well, as the events could easily have happened given the political climate and the limited security procedures in place at that time.
Thank you to the author, the publisher Greenleaf Book Group Press and BookSirens for the opportunity to read and review an ARC.
June 27, 2023
Why do grandparents get along with their grandchildren so well, because they have a common enemy.
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Jeanne and John have traveled with the high school group to NY to witness the vote of the United Nations, however they are getting more than just a seat at the event. Jeanne a student and John a young journalist uncover a plot to assonate one of the leaders at the vote. Jeanne has caught the attention of John, he is not only interested in her but he is equally interested in allowing her to help him with his reporting of the school trip and now the documentation of what he has investigated about a possible assassination. The story starts in November of 1947 and continues through 50 long years in the future.
.
Jeanne and John have some unfinished business and he has reached out to her from Italy to ask her to meet with him to discuss some things. Jeanne debates on the thought of going but after a current health scare when her daughter-in-law gets asked to perform in the Opera in Italy Jeanne takes the opportunity to bring her family back together and see John at the same time.
.
Michael, Jeannes son has agreed to go only because he wants to ask her for money to help him out of some debt he has gotten himself into at work. The trip ends up being way more than that for Michael as he tries to rekindle his marriage with Carrie and spend quality time with his daughter Alice.
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Johns investigation and dealings with the Lilyann his informant leads to devastating consequences for her. John feels as though it is his fault and spends the rest of her life making good on his promise to take care of her.
.
Fast forward 50 years Jeanne and John (aka: Jack) have some unanswered questions to workout between them, with his new house project and his debt to the "wrong people" they have to determine if they can finish what they started so many years ago.
.
I was really surprised by how much I enjoyed this story. I was gifted a ALC of Come November in return for my honest review. As an avid thriller reader I would say I would lean more to Historical Romance than thriller but there was the assassination plot so I guess it could be thriller. Narrated by Nancy Linari I feel as though it fit the story well her soft voice really helped to feel Jeannes age of 72. Giving this one a 4.5*
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Thank you Netgalley, Scott Lord and Greenleaf Book Group Press.
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Jeanne and John have traveled with the high school group to NY to witness the vote of the United Nations, however they are getting more than just a seat at the event. Jeanne a student and John a young journalist uncover a plot to assonate one of the leaders at the vote. Jeanne has caught the attention of John, he is not only interested in her but he is equally interested in allowing her to help him with his reporting of the school trip and now the documentation of what he has investigated about a possible assassination. The story starts in November of 1947 and continues through 50 long years in the future.
.
Jeanne and John have some unfinished business and he has reached out to her from Italy to ask her to meet with him to discuss some things. Jeanne debates on the thought of going but after a current health scare when her daughter-in-law gets asked to perform in the Opera in Italy Jeanne takes the opportunity to bring her family back together and see John at the same time.
.
Michael, Jeannes son has agreed to go only because he wants to ask her for money to help him out of some debt he has gotten himself into at work. The trip ends up being way more than that for Michael as he tries to rekindle his marriage with Carrie and spend quality time with his daughter Alice.
.
Johns investigation and dealings with the Lilyann his informant leads to devastating consequences for her. John feels as though it is his fault and spends the rest of her life making good on his promise to take care of her.
.
Fast forward 50 years Jeanne and John (aka: Jack) have some unanswered questions to workout between them, with his new house project and his debt to the "wrong people" they have to determine if they can finish what they started so many years ago.
.
I was really surprised by how much I enjoyed this story. I was gifted a ALC of Come November in return for my honest review. As an avid thriller reader I would say I would lean more to Historical Romance than thriller but there was the assassination plot so I guess it could be thriller. Narrated by Nancy Linari I feel as though it fit the story well her soft voice really helped to feel Jeannes age of 72. Giving this one a 4.5*
.
Thank you Netgalley, Scott Lord and Greenleaf Book Group Press.
August 4, 2023
In 1947, Jeanne is one of the high school journalists chosen to witness the UN vote to create the state of Israel. Also heading to the UN is local journalist, John. John is not only writing stories about the student's UN trip, but he is following a lead on a source that might have information on a group trying to undermine the vote. Jeanne and John meet on the train from Chicago to New York and immediately feel a strong connection. John asks Jeanne to help him write stories and she readily accepts, meanwhile, John is uncovering an assassination plot to dismantle the vote and Jeanne knows something is up. Fifty years Jeanne and John have gone their separate ways until Jeanne receives an email from John asking her to help him write a book about the incident at the UN. Jeanne must try to come to terms with that time in her life and see if she can forgive John for what happened all those years ago.
Come November is a story of hope, redemption and second chances. Told from alternating time periods of 1947 and 2003, suspense is built as Jeanne and John's past collides with their present. It was fun to read about Jeanne's UN trip as a high school student, which was apparently based on a real trip that the author's mother was a part of. For Jeanne's character, this trip was life changing and began a lifelong interest in world affairs as well as bringing to light a significant event in world history that is often forgotten. John's character is tenacious and goes after what he wants without a lot of thought for consequences. The tension in the story rises as John attempts to stop the assassination plot as well as when John and Jeanne finally meet in Italy. In 2003, John and Jeanne are older, but with the same feelings they shared in 1947. However, personal problems and experience tells them to be more careful with their hearts this time around.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
Come November is a story of hope, redemption and second chances. Told from alternating time periods of 1947 and 2003, suspense is built as Jeanne and John's past collides with their present. It was fun to read about Jeanne's UN trip as a high school student, which was apparently based on a real trip that the author's mother was a part of. For Jeanne's character, this trip was life changing and began a lifelong interest in world affairs as well as bringing to light a significant event in world history that is often forgotten. John's character is tenacious and goes after what he wants without a lot of thought for consequences. The tension in the story rises as John attempts to stop the assassination plot as well as when John and Jeanne finally meet in Italy. In 2003, John and Jeanne are older, but with the same feelings they shared in 1947. However, personal problems and experience tells them to be more careful with their hearts this time around.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
August 19, 2023
**I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.**
Come November by Scott Lord was told via alternating story lines, one occurring back in 1947 and the other occurring in 2003. The main characters, Jeanne Cooper and John McGrath, fell in love in November 1947 during a trip from Chicago to New York City. John was an emerging crime reporter and Jeanne was a 17 year old high school student & budding journalist. The student journalists werr going to witness history in the making at the United Nations during the vote to partition Israel from Palestine. John, however, gains knowledge of a possible assassination attempt that may occur during the vote.
To me, Come November was more of a historical thriller than a love story. I think I felt that way because Jeanne was clearly head over heels for John…..but John seemed to be using her to write his ho-hum reports on the high school students’ trip so he would be free to chase down the story of his career. Jeanne, being a naive 17 year old, gladly wrote his articles for him to gain his affection. Much like Jeanne best friend, I was skeptical of John’s true feelings for her and his motives. My skepticism grew as John became more protective of his “Insider.”
Flash forward to 2003….Jeanne is 73 and adjusting to life alone without her husband, who recently passed away. Out of the blue, Jeanne receives an invitation from John to come to Italy to spend time with him at an estate he is renovating. Jeanne decides to accept the invitation and then turns it into a family vacation for herself and her adult son and his family. I think Jeanne figures that if things with John go south, then she will still have her family to enjoy. Jeanne has grown quite weary of John through the years & has all but written him off. Who knows? Maybe love needs second… or third chances?
One of the things I LOVED about this novel is Jeanne’s family. Her family is real with real problems. It’s messy. The author did a fabulous job capturing the interpersonal relationships between family members. The *Steamy Factor* of this novel can best be best be described as “tastefully done.” While physical intimacy is alluded to, it is not described in detail, which was refreshing. Steamy details honestly wouldn’t have added to the story & sometimes less is more.
Overall I think both romance readers and historical thriller fans would enjoy this engaging novel by Scott Lord!
Come November by Scott Lord was told via alternating story lines, one occurring back in 1947 and the other occurring in 2003. The main characters, Jeanne Cooper and John McGrath, fell in love in November 1947 during a trip from Chicago to New York City. John was an emerging crime reporter and Jeanne was a 17 year old high school student & budding journalist. The student journalists werr going to witness history in the making at the United Nations during the vote to partition Israel from Palestine. John, however, gains knowledge of a possible assassination attempt that may occur during the vote.
To me, Come November was more of a historical thriller than a love story. I think I felt that way because Jeanne was clearly head over heels for John…..but John seemed to be using her to write his ho-hum reports on the high school students’ trip so he would be free to chase down the story of his career. Jeanne, being a naive 17 year old, gladly wrote his articles for him to gain his affection. Much like Jeanne best friend, I was skeptical of John’s true feelings for her and his motives. My skepticism grew as John became more protective of his “Insider.”
Flash forward to 2003….Jeanne is 73 and adjusting to life alone without her husband, who recently passed away. Out of the blue, Jeanne receives an invitation from John to come to Italy to spend time with him at an estate he is renovating. Jeanne decides to accept the invitation and then turns it into a family vacation for herself and her adult son and his family. I think Jeanne figures that if things with John go south, then she will still have her family to enjoy. Jeanne has grown quite weary of John through the years & has all but written him off. Who knows? Maybe love needs second… or third chances?
One of the things I LOVED about this novel is Jeanne’s family. Her family is real with real problems. It’s messy. The author did a fabulous job capturing the interpersonal relationships between family members. The *Steamy Factor* of this novel can best be best be described as “tastefully done.” While physical intimacy is alluded to, it is not described in detail, which was refreshing. Steamy details honestly wouldn’t have added to the story & sometimes less is more.
Overall I think both romance readers and historical thriller fans would enjoy this engaging novel by Scott Lord!
June 19, 2023
A historical thriller with a love story at its heart November 1947: Jeanne and John, two newspaper journalists, fall in young love as they travel from Chicago to New York to witness the momentous vote of the United Nations to partition Palestine and create the State of Israel. When they discover an assassination plot meant to swing the outcome, they must put their personal lives on hold and race the clock to stop it, uncovering elaborate details of international politics along the way. Fifty years later, having gone their separate ways, the two reconnect in Italy. Set against a stunning pastoral backdrop, Jeanne and John relive those turbulent days together and explore whether their love has stood the test of time. International thriller meets operatic Italian romance in this intricate tale of love, politics, and misunderstandings. Come November is a celebration of history, family bonds, redemption, and second-chance love sure to please fans of thrillers and romance alike.
I enjoyed listening to Come November, but, description aside, I definitely thought it leaned far more heavily towards romantic drama than thriller, though it did have occasional wisps of one,
underpinned by international politics. Quite an epic tale, regardless.
Nancy Linari did a lovely job with the narration.
Thank you Scott Lord, NetGalley and Greenleaf Audiobooks for providing this ALC for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.
I enjoyed listening to Come November, but, description aside, I definitely thought it leaned far more heavily towards romantic drama than thriller, though it did have occasional wisps of one,
underpinned by international politics. Quite an epic tale, regardless.
Nancy Linari did a lovely job with the narration.
Thank you Scott Lord, NetGalley and Greenleaf Audiobooks for providing this ALC for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.
July 15, 2023
Beautiful book that explores love, life, romance, growing up, coming of age, breaking hearts, facing life, loss, and living again and finding happiness. Add in many years of growing up, and dual timelines, and you have a winner!
The story begins in the 1940’s with a journalist (John) and an aspiring journalist (Jeanne) who is still in HS.
They meet up, and she pretty much instantly falls in love. She is on a HS trip for aspiring journalists…with many of her friends. Oh…and the nuns!!
But, his story is much more involved…and being an established journalist, he is involved in many things he has no business being involved in!
She ends up getting mixed up in some of the crazy stuff going on, but still feels like he is the one for her!
They continue to see each other as time permits…and life goes on.
Fast forward to 2003. Jeanne is a grandma. She is traveling with her son, his estranged wife, and their daughter to Italy to see her daughter in law perform in a show.
John now lives in Italy, and has contacted her.
That’s all I’m giving you…
Beautiful story. So many touching moments throughout.
And kudos to grandma on her love life, as well as her love for her son and his family…and her unending drive to see that her family is all right in the end!
Very sweet!
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for me!
Thanks to NetGalley and Greenleaf Book Group for the ARC of the audiobook!
Look for this soon as the release date is July 18th!
The story begins in the 1940’s with a journalist (John) and an aspiring journalist (Jeanne) who is still in HS.
They meet up, and she pretty much instantly falls in love. She is on a HS trip for aspiring journalists…with many of her friends. Oh…and the nuns!!
But, his story is much more involved…and being an established journalist, he is involved in many things he has no business being involved in!
She ends up getting mixed up in some of the crazy stuff going on, but still feels like he is the one for her!
They continue to see each other as time permits…and life goes on.
Fast forward to 2003. Jeanne is a grandma. She is traveling with her son, his estranged wife, and their daughter to Italy to see her daughter in law perform in a show.
John now lives in Italy, and has contacted her.
That’s all I’m giving you…
Beautiful story. So many touching moments throughout.
And kudos to grandma on her love life, as well as her love for her son and his family…and her unending drive to see that her family is all right in the end!
Very sweet!
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for me!
Thanks to NetGalley and Greenleaf Book Group for the ARC of the audiobook!
Look for this soon as the release date is July 18th!
August 6, 2023
Jeanne is now 73 years of age when she receives an email from her first love, John. Good news? Not really, because of the hurt John brought on in the past. For this reason, she lets the email sit in her inbox while she makes the decision to respond. Meanwhile, Jeanne receives adverse news from her doctor, which she understands, she must live her last days on earth to the fullest while she still has the ability.
Jeanne travels with her family to Italy, where this first loves, John resides.
Back In 1948, John and Jeanne met on a field trip during her senior year of high school. As a young journalist, John joined the seniors on their trip to New York City to witness a vote within the United Nations. Before the UN assembly, John caught wind of a headline story he felt he must get to boost his journalism career. Thus, Jeanne was dropped from his life.
Now, Jeanne and John are reunited in Italy and are working through their misunderstandings.
Can these two, now older and wiser, work beyond the past and make the most of the life they have left?
Come November by Scott Lord is a super heartfelt story. As I listened I was walking alongside John and Jeanne throughout their journey. The dual timelines and dual points of view will keep you hanging on to the very end.
I would label this book as historic fiction, with little action and twists, but just a good story.
My only complaint is the ending felt a little flat for this reader.
Jeanne travels with her family to Italy, where this first loves, John resides.
Back In 1948, John and Jeanne met on a field trip during her senior year of high school. As a young journalist, John joined the seniors on their trip to New York City to witness a vote within the United Nations. Before the UN assembly, John caught wind of a headline story he felt he must get to boost his journalism career. Thus, Jeanne was dropped from his life.
Now, Jeanne and John are reunited in Italy and are working through their misunderstandings.
Can these two, now older and wiser, work beyond the past and make the most of the life they have left?
Come November by Scott Lord is a super heartfelt story. As I listened I was walking alongside John and Jeanne throughout their journey. The dual timelines and dual points of view will keep you hanging on to the very end.
I would label this book as historic fiction, with little action and twists, but just a good story.
My only complaint is the ending felt a little flat for this reader.
June 3, 2023
4+ stars!
“She forced out the question she had come 6,000 miles and waited 50 years to ask.”
This genre conglomeration has all the elements I love and it did not disappoint in its delivery. Part historical thriller, part coming of age, part second chance romance novel, Come November combines all these pieces into an intelligent and thought provoking story.
Jeanne and John, two Chicago based young journalists embark on an adventure to cover the 1947 United Nations vote on Resolution 181: The Parceling of Palestine into 2 States (Palestinian Arab and Jewish). Danger and subterfuge lurk around every corner as a budding relationship forms, but obstacles stand in their way. Over a span of 50 years, mysteries remain as the players evolve exponentially, creating a web of intrigue, deceit and misinformation. In the final chapters, pieces begin to fall into place in the Italian countryside, but it might be too late for a conclusion everyone wants and deserves.
For those who enjoy a true genre mash-up, I imagine this novel will appeal to a wide range of readers this summer. Challenged by a range of ages, genders and nationalities, Nancy Linari’s audio narration was excellent!
Thanks to NetGalley and Greenleaf Book Group Press for the advance audio copy in exchange for my honest review.
“She forced out the question she had come 6,000 miles and waited 50 years to ask.”
This genre conglomeration has all the elements I love and it did not disappoint in its delivery. Part historical thriller, part coming of age, part second chance romance novel, Come November combines all these pieces into an intelligent and thought provoking story.
Jeanne and John, two Chicago based young journalists embark on an adventure to cover the 1947 United Nations vote on Resolution 181: The Parceling of Palestine into 2 States (Palestinian Arab and Jewish). Danger and subterfuge lurk around every corner as a budding relationship forms, but obstacles stand in their way. Over a span of 50 years, mysteries remain as the players evolve exponentially, creating a web of intrigue, deceit and misinformation. In the final chapters, pieces begin to fall into place in the Italian countryside, but it might be too late for a conclusion everyone wants and deserves.
For those who enjoy a true genre mash-up, I imagine this novel will appeal to a wide range of readers this summer. Challenged by a range of ages, genders and nationalities, Nancy Linari’s audio narration was excellent!
Thanks to NetGalley and Greenleaf Book Group Press for the advance audio copy in exchange for my honest review.
May 17, 2023
3.75⭐️
I had the audiobook narrated by Nancy Linari who did an excellent job.
Historical fiction with a love story at its heart.
In 1947 Jeanne and John fall in love , young newspaper journalists they travel from Chicago to New York to witness the momentous vote by the UN to partition Palestine creating the State of Israel. They discover an elaborate assassination plot to swing the vote.
John and Jeanne reconnect 50 years later in Italy.
The storytelling is on the slow side, the narrator really adds to the enjoyment keeping my attention. I’m not sure reading the book would have kept my attention as well.
I liked Jeanne, portrayed as a strong independent intelligent woman, however she drew some not very bright conclusions too easily, I would have expected more communication and confirmation from her to be honest.
The romance theme was a bit predictable, but enjoyable,
I enjoyed the history element as it’s a subject that I know nothing about.
There’s even Italian opera thrown into the mix.
I would have preferred it more condensed, overall an enjoyable listen.
I had the audiobook narrated by Nancy Linari who did an excellent job.
Historical fiction with a love story at its heart.
In 1947 Jeanne and John fall in love , young newspaper journalists they travel from Chicago to New York to witness the momentous vote by the UN to partition Palestine creating the State of Israel. They discover an elaborate assassination plot to swing the vote.
John and Jeanne reconnect 50 years later in Italy.
The storytelling is on the slow side, the narrator really adds to the enjoyment keeping my attention. I’m not sure reading the book would have kept my attention as well.
I liked Jeanne, portrayed as a strong independent intelligent woman, however she drew some not very bright conclusions too easily, I would have expected more communication and confirmation from her to be honest.
The romance theme was a bit predictable, but enjoyable,
I enjoyed the history element as it’s a subject that I know nothing about.
There’s even Italian opera thrown into the mix.
I would have preferred it more condensed, overall an enjoyable listen.
June 17, 2023
If a book grips you from page 1, you immediately have an expectation of what the rest of the book is going to be like. Come November by Scott Lord grabbed hold of me in Chapter 1, page 1. I could identify with Jeanne and the emotions she was working through after the passing of her husband.
"Even after a year, it hurt to see his empty chair across from her. Would she ever stop missing him? The desk was really too big for one person. She had tried spreading her things across the Maginot Line only they knew existed, first inching a small brass clock, then a wire pencil holder, and finally a stapler into territory she could now sadly claim was hers alone."
Scott Lord invites us into the world of Jeanne and John. We travel back to the time they met on the eve of the historic vote at the UN in November 1947. They fall in love amidst the suspense of the vote and despite John’s new job offer which creates a distance between them, they are sure they can make a go of their new relationship. However, life always throws a curve ball and heartbreak becomes part of Jeanne’s life.
She manages to finally pick herself up and move on with her life. Facing some challenges along the way and separation, she once again finds herself in the arms of John. Is this finally their time…
Although the book bounces between 1947 and 2003, it is done so brilliantly that you can still hold on to the story throughout.
It is a well-written book and even though I felt that the last chapter seemed rushed to tie up loose ends, it was enjoyable.
This is a touching romance story with some suspense and history thrown into the mix.
Thanks to Book Sirens and Scott Lord for the opportunity to review this book.
"Even after a year, it hurt to see his empty chair across from her. Would she ever stop missing him? The desk was really too big for one person. She had tried spreading her things across the Maginot Line only they knew existed, first inching a small brass clock, then a wire pencil holder, and finally a stapler into territory she could now sadly claim was hers alone."
Scott Lord invites us into the world of Jeanne and John. We travel back to the time they met on the eve of the historic vote at the UN in November 1947. They fall in love amidst the suspense of the vote and despite John’s new job offer which creates a distance between them, they are sure they can make a go of their new relationship. However, life always throws a curve ball and heartbreak becomes part of Jeanne’s life.
She manages to finally pick herself up and move on with her life. Facing some challenges along the way and separation, she once again finds herself in the arms of John. Is this finally their time…
Although the book bounces between 1947 and 2003, it is done so brilliantly that you can still hold on to the story throughout.
It is a well-written book and even though I felt that the last chapter seemed rushed to tie up loose ends, it was enjoyable.
This is a touching romance story with some suspense and history thrown into the mix.
Thanks to Book Sirens and Scott Lord for the opportunity to review this book.
June 20, 2023
Many thanks to NetGalley and Greenleaf Audiobooks, Greenleaf Book Group Press for the free audio book in exchange for my honest review. This is narrated by Nancy Linari who does a fabulous job reading the book and pulling you into the world of Jeanne and John!
This is such a sweeping, historic account of the lives of Jeanne and John, two young journalists who met covering the UN's plan to partition Palestine into Jewish and Arab sectors and Israel's ensuing declaration of statehood, post WWII. The story is told in multiple parts with several narrators and is very well researched.
Spanning decades, the story opens present day with a plan to meet one last time as both Jeanne and John are now in their late 70's/ early 80's to see if a reconciliation can be made. The story explores their shared time in New York in November 1947, their failed romance, and the struggles to define what might have been. Ending in a quaint Italian town known to both of them from prior visits, the truth comes out in this story that is rich with politics and romance.
Highly recommend!
This is such a sweeping, historic account of the lives of Jeanne and John, two young journalists who met covering the UN's plan to partition Palestine into Jewish and Arab sectors and Israel's ensuing declaration of statehood, post WWII. The story is told in multiple parts with several narrators and is very well researched.
Spanning decades, the story opens present day with a plan to meet one last time as both Jeanne and John are now in their late 70's/ early 80's to see if a reconciliation can be made. The story explores their shared time in New York in November 1947, their failed romance, and the struggles to define what might have been. Ending in a quaint Italian town known to both of them from prior visits, the truth comes out in this story that is rich with politics and romance.
Highly recommend!
July 20, 2023
SUMMARY
It's 2003, and at 73 years old, Jeanne receives an email from her first love, John. Weary about responding to his message because of the hurt John had brought onto her in the past, she lets the email sit in her inbox while she considers. Meanwhile, Jeanne receives unfortunate news from the doctor, which she takes to mean she needs to live her life to the fullest while she still has the ability. Jeanne travels with her family to Italy, where John resides, to discuss their past and a potential book deal regarding a fateful night they both experienced while visiting New York City as young journalists.
In 1948, John and Jeanne met while Jeanne was on a field trip during her senior year of high school. John was a young journalist who joined the seniors on their journey to New York City to witness a vote within the United Nations. Before the UN assembly, John caught wind of a headline story he knew he had to land to launch his journalism career. With John's career his priority, Jeanne ultimately became second, and life continued.
Now, Jeanne and John are reunited in Italy and are working through their misunderstandings. Their story is one of heartache and redemption, and it is up to only them to see if they can work beyond the past and make the most of the life they have left.
REVIEW
Come November by Scott Lord is a great book! From the complex characters to the detailed storyline, I felt like I was alongside John and Jeanne throughout their journey in NYC. The dual timelines and dual POV kept me hanging on throughout their story.
I will say I was a bit disappointed with this book's "mystery/thriller" aspect, as advertised. It was historical fiction, but there needed to be more action or twists and turns to consider it a thriller. Of the book as a whole, I enjoyed the 1948 storyline much more than the 2003 story. The 1948 story was full of hope and desire and left us wanting more. The 2003 story seemed disconnected and needed a strong protagonist.
This book was such a touching story with so many beautiful moments. Though the climax fell flat for me, I adored this book overall. In the end, the message is one of love, and that's what life is all about.
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC of Come November by Scott Lord. I accepted this ARC in exchange for my honest and unbiased book review.
It's 2003, and at 73 years old, Jeanne receives an email from her first love, John. Weary about responding to his message because of the hurt John had brought onto her in the past, she lets the email sit in her inbox while she considers. Meanwhile, Jeanne receives unfortunate news from the doctor, which she takes to mean she needs to live her life to the fullest while she still has the ability. Jeanne travels with her family to Italy, where John resides, to discuss their past and a potential book deal regarding a fateful night they both experienced while visiting New York City as young journalists.
In 1948, John and Jeanne met while Jeanne was on a field trip during her senior year of high school. John was a young journalist who joined the seniors on their journey to New York City to witness a vote within the United Nations. Before the UN assembly, John caught wind of a headline story he knew he had to land to launch his journalism career. With John's career his priority, Jeanne ultimately became second, and life continued.
Now, Jeanne and John are reunited in Italy and are working through their misunderstandings. Their story is one of heartache and redemption, and it is up to only them to see if they can work beyond the past and make the most of the life they have left.
REVIEW
Come November by Scott Lord is a great book! From the complex characters to the detailed storyline, I felt like I was alongside John and Jeanne throughout their journey in NYC. The dual timelines and dual POV kept me hanging on throughout their story.
I will say I was a bit disappointed with this book's "mystery/thriller" aspect, as advertised. It was historical fiction, but there needed to be more action or twists and turns to consider it a thriller. Of the book as a whole, I enjoyed the 1948 storyline much more than the 2003 story. The 1948 story was full of hope and desire and left us wanting more. The 2003 story seemed disconnected and needed a strong protagonist.
This book was such a touching story with so many beautiful moments. Though the climax fell flat for me, I adored this book overall. In the end, the message is one of love, and that's what life is all about.
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC of Come November by Scott Lord. I accepted this ARC in exchange for my honest and unbiased book review.
October 19, 2023
Thank you @netgalley for the Advanced Reader Copy of Come November by Scott Lord. This is the story of a high school girl who writes for her school newspaper, and a young journalist who travel to New York with a group to visit the UN. The book goes back and forth between 1947 and fifty years later, when they reconnect. I read this a few weeks ago, but it has all of a sudden become very timely. Because they are at the UN when it votes to create Israel. It was obviously controversial at the time, and the book does a good job of covering some of the political situation, while also being a love story. #netgalley #comenovember #scottlord #historicalfiction #bookstagram #booklover #reader #bookblog #lovetoread #fictionreader #bookreview #bookrecommendation #readersofinstagram #bookloversofinstagram #takeapagefrommybook #readallthebooks #booksbooksbooks #booksofinstagram #bookwormproblems #bookaholic #booknerd #whattoread #readingtime #bookaddict #ilovetoread #ilovebooks #needtoread #readallday
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